She shook her head and sighed resignedly. 'I have no positive
complaint to make against him, Miss. But I'm afraid he doesn't
care about me; and he seems to take no interest in his home--
I may almost say he's tired of his home. It might be better
for both of us, Miss, if he went travelling for a while--
not to mention the money, which is beginning to be wanted sadly.'
She put her handkerchief to her eyes, and sighed again more resignedly
than ever.

'I don't quite understand,' said Agnes. 'I thought your husband
had an engagement to take some ladies to Switzerland and Italy?'

'That was his ill-luck, Miss. One of the ladies fell ill--
and the others wouldn't go without her. They paid him a month's salary
as compensation. But they had engaged him for the autumn and winter--
and the loss is serious.'

'I am sorry to hear it, Emily. Let us hope he will soon have
another chance.'

'It's not his turn, Miss, to be recommended when the next applications
come to the couriers' office. You see, there are so many of them
out of employment just now. If he could be privately recommended--'
She stopped, and left the unfinished sentence to speak for itself.

Agnes understood her directly. 'You want my recommendation,'
she rejoined. 'Why couldn't you say so at once?'

Emily blushed. 'It would be such a chance for my husband,'
she answered confusedly. 'A letter, inquiring for a good courier